Rufus Wainwright Lists 1926 Laurel Canyon Cottage in Los Angeles for $2.3 Million

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has put his whimsical 1926 Spanish-style residence in lower Laurel Canyon on the market for $2.3 million.

Had he chosen a modern remodel, the story might look conventional. He did not. Public real estate filings show Wainwright purchased the 2,119-square-foot cottage in 2016 for $1.45 million, retaining nearly a century of vintage detailing while injecting his own saturated color palette across the interior. Tucked behind security gates at the base of Mount Olympus, the three-bedroom compound sits wrapped in dense trees just minutes north of Sunset Boulevard.

Period craftsmanship anchors the floor plan. The living room features pitched cathedral ceilings with exposed timber beams, stained-glass apertures, custom millwork, and an original Batchelder fireplace. Wainwright penned multiple tracks inside the moody space, letting the acoustic resonance of the high ceilings shape his arrangements. Nearby, an unusual octagonal library branches off from the central hall, lined with built-in shelving designed for private study.

The dining quarters feature diamond-pane leaded windows configured for evening gatherings. In the kitchen, daylight pours over marble countertops, a deep farmhouse basin, and bespoke cabinetry, with a traditional Dutch door opening outward to the manicured hillside garden. Outside, stone footpaths cut through shaded foliage beneath mature tree canopies. It feels entirely isolated from the metropolitan sprawl below.

Brokers Alexandre Anu of Douglas Elliman and Dag Eliason of Hilton & Hyland hold the joint listing. Marketing materials emphasize that the estate targets artists, screenwriters, and musicians who prioritize historical preservation over steel-and-glass developments. Private showings have begun for pre-qualified buyers, with the brokerage team coordinating public bids throughout the spring sales window.